Watford train renamed after former football manager

A train in Watford has been christened ‘Graham Taylor’, in tribute to the former England football manager.

Taylor’s widow, Rita cut the ribbon on the London Midland Class 350 train. The company said that it wanted to acknowledge a legend who they felt had made a lasting impact on football throughout the country. Graham Taylor died earlier this year, aged 72 years old.

Steve Helfet from West Coast services said:

“We can’t really think of a better way to mark the passing of a great man than naming one of our newest trains after him. He served areas right the way across our network with distinction.”

The train has been assigned the unit number of 350377, to acknowledge 1977, the year when the manager originally joined Watford.

The firm has now named three trains after popular figures or events, with the original two honourees being Chad Varah, who founded the Samaritans, and the Lichfield Festival, which enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the operator.

Helfet said that the tribute was initially proposed by one of the firm’s conductors. The company then reached out to Taylor’s family, with the help of Watford Football Club, to seek their permission.

Now when the company utilises services such as digital copying and document scanning, its printed materials can proudly display its new, honorary Graham Taylor train.